For many years I believed the necktie descended from the bib used to keep a person's food from staining their clothing. Seemed logical to me and besides what other reason would a person have for knowingly tying a piece of bright cloth around their neck over the top of their clothing?
RecentlyI did some light research and discovered that the use of cloth tied around a man's neck for decoration began in the 17th century. It had nothing to do with being a bib, but occurred when Croatian mercenaries hired into French service wore their traditional small knotted neckerchiefs into Paris. The French called them cravats and, when Louis the XIV accepted them as fashion worthy the rest of mankind were doomed to adorn themselves with neckties forever after.
Considering the fact that neckties choke, chaff and get in the way when you're trying to brush your teeth, use the restroom, or do any kind of physical activity it is beyond me how they have managed to remain a viable fashion item for so long. Indeed, in some circles appearing without a necktie is an unthinkable, down right heinous social faux pas.
I have over the years found or thought of several positive uses for neckties that make their existence somewhat less aggravating. The following is a short list:
1. Cleaning your eye glasses. (Be sure to use the side of the tie that is not visible)
2. While amusing a young child you can roll the tie beginning at the bottom like you would roll up a sleeping bag and then hold the rolled up tie under your chin. When the child pushes one of the buttons of your shirt you release the rolled up tie and it flops back down into place.
3. You can use it to dry wet knives and forks.
4. You could use it to save someone from drowning.
5. You could use it to form a zip line so you could slide from building to building using telephone lines like spies in the movies do.
6. It can indeed be used as a bib or a napkin.
I'm sure there are many other uses but I can't think of anything right now. Maybe you could?
According to survival experts an emergency/disaster kit should contain life supporting equipment and food that will last for 72 hours. Hence the name "72 Hour Kit." This is a worthy and manageable amount of stuff every family should strive to obtain for each of its members. My only question is, who are these experts anyway? I want
to know who decided 72 hours is the optimum amount of hours to have
enough stuff socked away that will help you survive?
I personally would like to survive longer than 72 hours after a disaster has struck. Three days seems a little pessimistic to me. I'd like to shoot for 168 hours, or 720-744 hours (depending on which month of the year the disaster strikes), or 8760-8784 hours (depending on whether or not it is a leap year). Of course it might be a bit difficult to cram 168 hours, or 744 hours or even 8760 hours worth of stuff into a backpack or the trunk of a car. Seventy two hours worth of portable survival equipment and food seems like a more workable amount.
Good thinking experts!
